diff --git a/apps/blockchain-node/src/aitbc_chain/consensus/poa.py b/apps/blockchain-node/src/aitbc_chain/consensus/poa.py
index 522fb2d2..e617a2c4 100755
--- a/apps/blockchain-node/src/aitbc_chain/consensus/poa.py
+++ b/apps/blockchain-node/src/aitbc_chain/consensus/poa.py
@@ -124,14 +124,6 @@ class PoAProposer:
         if not getattr(settings, "enable_block_production", True):
             self._logger.info("Block production disabled, skipping PoA proposer loop")
             return
-        # Check if genesis block exists before starting proposer loop
-        with self._session_factory() as session:
-            genesis = session.exec(
-                select(Block).where(Block.chain_id == self._config.chain_id).where(Block.height == 0).limit(1)
-            ).first()
-        if genesis is None:
-            self._logger.warning("No genesis block found, skipping PoA proposer loop. Block production requires a genesis block.")
-            return
         self._logger.info("Starting PoA proposer loop", extra={"interval": self._config.interval_seconds})
         await self._ensure_genesis_block()
 
diff --git a/apps/blockchain-node/src/aitbc_chain/main.py b/apps/blockchain-node/src/aitbc_chain/main.py
index c01626c2..62784849 100755
--- a/apps/blockchain-node/src/aitbc_chain/main.py
+++ b/apps/blockchain-node/src/aitbc_chain/main.py
@@ -287,9 +287,9 @@ class BlockchainNode:
         else:
             logger.warning("Island manager not available - island operations will be disabled")
 
-        await self._ensure_genesis_for_chains()
         # Start proposers only if enabled (followers set enable_block_production=False)
         if self._block_production_enabled():
+            await self._ensure_genesis_for_chains()
             self._start_proposers()
         else:
             logger.info("Block production disabled on this node", extra={"proposer_id": settings.proposer_id})